Cork Removal Device

Abstract

An improved cork removal device that reduces the pressure differential created when a cork is extracted. The device provides for the passage of air from outside of the bottle through the cork, through a passageway in an elongated rod extending from the handle. The elongated rod has openings at a distal end and near the handle, connected with a passageway. This means that when the elongated rod of the cork removal device is inserted into a cork which is sealing a wine bottle, air is free to pass from one opening through the passageway to the other opening. The passage of air when the cork is being extracted, prevents a pressure differential from preventing the cork from extraction, and reduces breakage of the cork. A small flange or expansion at the tip of the corkscrew may be provided to protect the distal end opening from being clogged by cork debris.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A cork removal device comprising:
 a handle; and   an elongated rod, with an attachment end and a distal end, the attachment end attached to the handle, the distal end extending away from the handle, the elongated rod capable of extracting a cork from a bottle, where the elongated rod comprises a passageway allowing for air to travel therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The cork removal device of  claim 1 , where the elongated rod comprises:
 a first opening proximate to the distal end;   a second opening proximate to the attachment end; and   where the passageway extends from the first opening to the second opening.   
     
     
         3 . The cork removal device of  claim 1 , where the elongated rod further comprises a spiral. 
     
     
         4 . The cork removal device of  claim 3 , where the passageway extends through the spiral. 
     
     
         5 . The cork removal device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a flange located near the distal end of the elongated rod, extending laterally in a direction away from the spiral.   
     
     
         6 . The cork removal device of  claim 1 ,
 where the elongated rod further comprises an inward planar surface and an outward planar surface, the inward planar surface and outward planar surface extending from the attachment end to the distal end;   where the cork removal device further comprises a second elongated planar rod, the second elongated planar rod comprising a second attachment end, a second distal end, and a second inward planar surface and a second outward planar extending from the second attachment end to the second distal end; and   where the planar surface of the elongated rod and the second planar surface of the second elongated planar rod are roughly parallel to each other.   
     
     
         7 . The cork removal device of  claim 6 , where the elongated rod further comprises an elongated channel extending along the inward planar surface from the distal end toward the attachment end. 
     
     
         8 . The cork removal device of  claim 6 , where the elongated rod further comprises an elongated channel extending along the outward planar surface from the distal end toward the attachment end.